Thread advancing reel



Oct. 27, 1953 s. c. NELSON 2,656,584

THREAD ADVANCING REEL Filed Deo. 2o, 1947 6 3 3l 3 2 9 f1/H 2./ IFA/e1 iig?! w Fly-.4

` INVENTOR.

SEDDON C. NELSON BY I form of thread Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNIT-ED STATES PATENT OFFICE THREAD ADVANCING REEL Seddon C. Nelson, Front Royal, Va., assigner to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application December 20, 1947, Serial No. 792,957

. 12 Claims. l

This invention relates to thread advancing reels for forming a thread store comprising a plurality of spaced turns of thread that are continually advanced in an axial direction along the periphery of the reel. These reels may be used for the purpose of storing the thread or the thread may be subjected to fluid treatment -or Vdried on the reels in the manner and for the purpose conventional in the art.

In thread advancing reels shown in the prior art, thereels often comprised a large number of parts and elaborate means were required for 'supporting the various parts in operable relation." These reels were expensive to construct `and difficult to maintain.

manufacture and maintain during operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention Will be apparent from the following de- Y scription and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a fo of thread advancing reel embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the `form of thread advancing reel shown in Figure 1,

thesection being taken on the line A-A in Figure l. i

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a-portion of the form of thread advancing reel shown in Figures l and 2, the section being taken on the line B-B in Figure l.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional Aview of another invention.

This invention may be used for handlingyarn,

laments, tow, bands, ribbons, andthe like as `weil as thread and the term thread as used above and hereinafter is intended to beinclusive.

i The invention ingeneral comprises two cir- -cular cage-like members each comprising a plurality or set of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced thread supporting bars that are mounted to rotate about spaced apart or eccentric axes positioned within the periphery of each of the cage-likemembers. The bars making up one cage-like member are positionedbe- ,tween the bars. .of the `other cage-like member.

Means are provided for positively` moving the advancingreel embodying this Ofi bars of one of the cage-like members relative to the bars of the other cage-like member in a direction having at least a component in an axial direction to advance in an axial direction turns of thread wound on the reel. One of the cagelike members is mounted for rotation on means that are separate from the other cage-like member and the means on which the other cage-like member is mounted, and the means on which the rst cage-like member is mounted are maintained stationary during the operation of the reel by the inertia cf the means and in addition in certain cases by the force of gravity.

Referring to Figuresl and 2 of the drawing in which is shown an embodiment of the invention having two cage-like members mounted to rotate about parallel eccentric axes with the `circularly spaced thread supporting bars of one of the cagelike members fixed andrestrained from move- `ment in an axial direction and the circularly spaced thread supporting bars of the other cagelike member positively movable in an axial direction, reference character l indicates generally the cylindrical cage-like member having the fixed thread supporting bars 2. The thread supporting bars 2 extend axially and are attached in parallel relation and` uniformly spaced apart circumferentially to the circular end flange members 3 and `i that are centrally fixed to the rotatable shaft 5. An annular groove 6 is formed in the end liange 3 concentric with the axis of the shaft. One end portion of the thread supporting bars extends into the groove wherethey are iixed and the thread supporting bars are secured adjacent theother end to the end iiange 4 by separate clamping and attaching members 1 for each bar. A gear 8 bywhich the reel is driven is iixed to the shaft. The cage member I is rotatably'supported adjacent'eachend in Abearings in `the standards 9 and I 0. Bearing means Il and I2 are positioned between the shaft and the stand- Jards and sealing means |3'and I4 are positioned Vparallel thereto; The movable bars are mounted to rotate about ani axis that is parallel tobut 3 eccentric or spaced from the axis of the shaft about which the xed thread supporting bars rotate. The means on which the cage-like member having the movable thread supporting bars is mounted comprises, positioned between the end anges and separate and spaced therefrom, an axially extending tubular member 23 having a hub-like member 24 fixed to or formed integralwith the tubular member at each end.

The shaft extends through the tubular member, and the hub members and is journaled in thet tubular member in the ball or roller.bearings-.25.l

the outer races of which are fixed to the tubular member and the inner racesearec'flxedwo-the shaft. The tubular member' and'v the liubelike members in eiect oat on the shaft out of4 engagement with any part of the cage-fliketmember l. The hub members 24 are each formed with a portion having a cylindrical outer surfaceor4 other surface of revolution, the axes of which are leccentric to .and cantecl transversely with' re'- spect to the axis `ofthe shaft,.each'irr the-.same direction. Roller or ball bearing members". 26 having inner and" outer.' races.' are mounted'on the portionsl of they hub=members having' the cylindrical orfother surface of revolution. Circular skew disk-like. members. 26a. are centrally mounted onLeach'of the .bearingmembers 26 and are clampedto the outer races. by the annular clamping members l2'I1bolted'1tol the skew disks. Due'to thefcantingfofthe axes-of the surfaces on `the hub members 'on' whichthe skew disks are rotatablyy mounted; the skew disks rotate in planes that are canted or' inclined intheV same direction from planes perpendicular tothe-axis ofthe shaft;

Thereel is provided with aitubular'sealing member 28 of 'flexible rubber, plastic, orthelike material'to preventrthe entranceof' fluids to the inner'parts of. the reel.' Thetubular sealsurirounds the skew` disks and' isLflXed at itsy ends. by

`clamping means 30 to the shoulders `29 on the end flanges.l

The movable threadsupporting bars' areI attached-'to the skew disk'members by thev bolts or` screws 3I'that extendthrough the resilient yieldable cushioning means 3'2` of rubber or `the like :that are I positioned in boredl 1 out portions .in thebars located'f in the region the bars are attachedto the' skew disks. Acushioning; means isv heldin the bar bythe annular. ridge or-shoulder 34A that extends into an'. annular groove formed inv the cushioning'means` To assist in maintaining-the tubularmember'23and the hub members 24'- stationary during theA rotation. of the reel, the lower portionof' the tubularmemberv isiv weighted by the; pendulumlike Weight memberv 33'that isirigidly attached thereto:

In thef operation of; this embodimentI ofl the invention, the cage.' member. comprising the fixed barsz-is rotatedwith the shaft aboutztheaxis of the. shaft by meansof the gear-8` meshing with a-drive bearA thatis notshown. The: cage membert` having the movablev bars is rotated. by. the other cage member. through the tubular sealing means andby atleast one ofthepxedbars engaging: an*A adjacent. movable bar.v The movable bars rotate'about. an axis that is eccentric and parallel to the axis of.; theA shaft and due to the skew disks'rotating` in planes; that are. inclined from a` right anglel or'askew With respect to the axis of the shaft thefbars attached to the skew disks are positively moved in an axial'direction, thecushioning members accommodating the-slight movement between. thebarsand 4 the skew disks. The inclination of the skew disks is so related to the eccentricity of the disks with respect to the axis of the shaft that the movable bars are moved in the direction it is desired to advance the turns of the thread when the movable bars are outside the periphery of the fixed bars comprising the other cage member and the movable bars are retracted'or moved in the opposite direction when the movable'bars are within the periphery of the fixed bars comprising the other cage member.

While the cage members in this embodiment of the invention are shown as cylindrical it is to` be1 understood'A that Where it is desired to stretcher relax the thread on the reel, the cage members may-be of frusto conical form.

Referringtto Figure 4 of the drawing in which is shown another embodiment of the invention havingtwo cylindrical cage-like members mounted to rotate about inclined eccentric axes with the circularly-f spaced threack supporting barsT in each' cage; member fixed to .f an.Y end` flange, ref.- erence character 40 indicates generally a=.cylin: dri'cal cage+like memberhaving axially extendingthread supporting bars 44 l The threadsup;- portingibars'- 4|- arepositioned in parallel rela tion and: uniformly..v spaced apart circumferenftially; andareattached to axrendflange 42` that has a hub portion 43,keyed to theshaft 44.A The shaft is 4journ-aled Vinthe standard45'.-` Agear 46 by-which the-reel may'besdrivenisifixedfto the shaft.

Reference character.; 41 indicates-1generallyfthe other" cylindrical cage-likememberl having; the thread supporting bars v4;.8ipositioned :betweenthe threadsupporting bars of the cage-likelmember 40. The threadisupportinggbars 48extendaxi ally in parallel'y relation and. uniformly.- spaced apart circumferentially andrarefattachedfto the end flange 49:- that-.has af central .hub I portion 50 mounted to rotateahout. an axiszlihatis eccentric toand.v is cantedtransverselywith respect totheaxis ofy the shaft; The means onfwhich the cage-like'member 4lv is mounted comprises they axially extending; tubular member 5|.y having xed thereto or formed;integraltherewith the hub member 52. The shaftextendsvthrough the tubular member land @the hub :memberand is journaled'inthe tubular member: inthe ball or vention shown in Figure 4, the cagelmemberlu roller bearings 53 the outer races of whichy are fixedtoythe,tubular'memberf andfthe inner races are'fixedfto'thegshaft. Thetubular member and the hub member in; effect .float on the shaft out of engagement with any part of the cage-like memberv 40; Thehub-mexnber -512 is formed with aportion 54 having` a cylindrical outer surface or other surface of; revolution the axisv ofl which is eccentric to and canted transversely with respecti'tothe'axissoffthe shaft. The cage Amember 4'1'is rotatably mountedon; the portion 54 of the hub having the surface of revolution to notate relative to. the tubular member and the` hub member and: is maintained: imposition by-the washer.v 51 and ring-member58 iixed'toY the shaft.

To assist in maintaining. the tubularmember 5l: andzthehub member52- stationary during the rotation" ofthe reel, the-lowervportion of the 'tubular member is weighted by the pendulum-like depending, weight 55: that is rigidly `attached thereto.

In the operation ofthe embodiment ofv the inis rotated withthe shaft by means of the gear 4B.'v meshing with adrive gear. that isy not shown. The; cage: member 41 isrotated; by atleast; one

thread supporting bar of the cage-like member 40 engaging a thread supporting bar of the cagelike member 41. The cage-like member 41 rotates about the portion 54 of the hub member that is fixed to the stationary tubular means 5I. The axis of the portion 54 is eccentric to and canted transversely with respect to the axis of the shaft so that the end iiange 49 rotates in a plane that is inclined from a plane at right angles to the axis of the shaft. 'I'he tubular member 5l on which the cage member 41 is mounted is entirely separate and apart from any part of the other cage member 40 and remains stationary during the operation of the reel. The cage member 41 in rotating about its axis which is inclinde to that of the cage member 4G moves the thread supporting bars 48 relative to the thread supporting bars 4| in a direction that has a component extending longitudinally of the reel to advance in a longitudinal direction turns of thread wound thereon. Due to the relation of the eccentricity and the cant or inclination of the cage-like members the thread supporting bars 48 are moved in a direction having a component in the direction it is desired to advance the thread when they are in contact with the thread and those bars are moved back in the opposite drection when they are out of contact with the thread.

Magnetic means may be employed in this inmember and the magnet or magnetic material positioned adjacent the reel.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that this is by way Vof illustration and that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A thread advancing reel comprising two cylindrical cage-like members each having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced thread supporting bars with the thread supporting bars of one cage-like member positioned between the thread supporting bars of the other cake-like member, stationary supporting means for the reel, separate means on which the cage-like members are mounted for rotation about axes that are eccentric to each other, means `for movingthe thread supporting bars of one cage-like` member in a longitudinal direction relative to the thread supporting bars of the other cage-like member, the means on which one of `the cage-like members is mounted being flcatingly mounted on a iixed axis and spaced from and independent of the reel supporting means and means for holding the loatingly mounted means other. means for moving the thread supporting bars of one cage-like member in a longitudinal direction relative to the thread supporting bars of the other cage-like member, a weight member attached to the means on which one of the cagelike members is mounted to maintain the means stationary during the operation of the reel.

3. A thread advancing reel comprising two cylindrical cage-like members each having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced thread supporting bars with the thread supporting bars of one cage-like member positioned between the thread supporting bars of the other cage-like member, separate means on which the cage-like members are mounted for rotation about axes that are eccentric to each other, means for moving the thread supporting bars of one cage-like member in a longitudinal direction relative to the thread supporting bars of the other cage-like member, a weight-like member attached to and depending from the means on which one of the cage-like members is mounted to maintain the means stationary.

4. A thread advancing reel comprising two cylindrical cage-like members each having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spa-ced thread supporting bars with the thread supporting bars of one cage-like member positioned between the thread supporting bars of the other cake-like member, stationary supporting means for the reel, separate means on other, means for moving the thread supporting bars of one cage-like member in a longitudinal direction relative to the thread supporting bars of the other cage-like member, one of said means on which one of said cage-like members is mounted comprising a shaft and the other of said means on which the other cage-like member is mounted comprising a stationary member through which the shaft extends iioatingly mounted on` the shaft, said floatingly mounted member being spaced longitudinally of the reel from the reel supporting means, and means for holding the floatingly mounted member stationary.

5. A thread advancing reel comprising two cylindrical cage-like members each having arplurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced thread supporting bars with the thread supporting bars of one cage-like member positioned between the thread supporting bars of the other cage-like member, stationary support- `ing means for the reel, separate means on which the cage-like members' are mounted for rotation about axesthat fare eccentric to each other, one of said means comprising a shaft on which one of said cage-like members is mounted and the other of said means comprising a member through which said shaft extends iloatingly mounted on the shaft, said flcatingly mounted member being spaced longitudinally of the reel from the` reel supporting means and having a portion that is eccentric and askew tothe axis of said 'shaft and on which the other cage-like member is mounted.

6. A thread advancing reel comprising two cylindrical cage-like members each having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumfereentially spaced thread supporting bars with the thread supporting bars of one cage-like member positioned between the thread supporting bars of the other cage-like member, stationary means for supporting the reel, separate means on which the cage-like members are mounted for rotation 

